FREEDOM APPROACHES ARIZONA

Arizona House approves
concealed weapons bill
Posted: Apr 09, 2010 4:22 AM EDT

By JONATHAN J. COOPER
Associated Press Writer
PHOENIX (AP) -
The Arizona House of Representatives voted Thursday to make
the state the third in the nation to allow people to carry
concealed weapons without a license, sending the governor a bill
that would allow Arizonans to forego background checks and
classes that are now required.

The legislation, approved by the House 36-19 without discussion,
would make it legal for most U.S. citizens 21 or older to carry
a concealed weapon in Arizona without the license now required.
By a 20-10 margin, the Senate voted March 29th to remove
the license requirement for those who want to carry a concealed weapon.

Currently, carrying a hidden firearm without a license is a misdemeanor
punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Sen. Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican who sponsored the measure, said
last week that he added changes requested by Governor Jan Brewer's office,
an indication that she is likely to sign it.

If the legislation is enacted, Arizona would join Alaska and Vermont
in not requiring licenses to carry concealed weapons.
Forty-five other states require licenses for hidden guns,
and two states - Illinois and Wisconsin - prohibit them altogether.

Supporters say gun restrictions only affect people who want to
follow the rules because criminals will carry hidden guns regardless
of the law. Nearly all adults can carry a weapon openly in Arizona,
and they shouldn't face additional restrictions when they want
to hide the weapon, supporters argue.

"What's dangerous is when they're in criminals' hands, not citizens'
hands," said Rep. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, a bill sponsor.

Opponents argue legalizing concealed weapons will make it easier
for criminals to carry them, endangering police. They also worry
the bill would lead to more accidental gun discharges by people
not adequately trained in firearm safety.


"We wouldn't give people driver's licenses without requiring training
or testing. Why would we give people the ability to carry a
concealed weapon anywhere?" said Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson.

There are more than 154,000 active concealed weapon licenses in Arizona.
Under the measure, Arizonans would still be subject to the background
checks federal law requires when buying firearms from a store.
People carrying a concealed weapon would be required to tell a
police officer if asked, and the officer could temporarily take the
weapon while communicating with the gun carrier.

Under the legislation, licenses still could be obtained on an
optional basis so Arizonans could carry concealed weapons in
states with reciprocity agreements. Licenses also would be
required to carry weapons in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

With the elevation of Jan Brewer to the governor's office, Arizona
gun-rights advocates have had a wave of success over the past two years.
The state in 2009 loosened its gun laws to lift a ban on guns in
establishments that serve alcohol, although gun-bearers still
cannot drink alcohol and establishments can ban firearms.

Governor Brewer, a Republican who took office in January 2009,
signed that measure into law. Her predecessor, Democrat Janet
Napolitano, vetoed several measures pushed by gun-rights supporters
before resigning to run the U.S. Homeland Security Department.

On Monday, Governor Brewer signed two bills loosening gun restrictions.
One bill broadened the state's current restrictions on local governments'
ability to regulate or tax guns and ammunition.

The other bill declares that guns manufactured entirely in Arizona
are exempt from federal oversight and are not subject to federal laws
restricting the sale of firearms or requiring them to be registered.